Willis Halaholo is free to begin his Cardiff Blues career and could well make his debut in next week’s Welsh derby clash with the Scarlets at the Arms Park.

The centre’s commitments with Waikato are now completed, with the New Zealand province having just missed out on a place in the quarter-finals of the Mitre 10 Cup.

Despite claiming a notable victory away to Wellington in their final regular season match over the weekend, they were pipped for a last eight spot by both Counties Manukau and Tasman winning their fixtures.

So Halaholo can now head for Wales and is expected to arrive in Cardiff by the end of this week.

The likelihood then is that he will make his first appearance for the Blues in the October 28 Guinness Pro12 showdown with the Scarlets.

That will be music to the ears of the Arms Park faithful, with the arrival of the 26-year-old having been eagerly awaited given the form he has shown back in New Zealand this year.

Cardiff Blues head coach Danny Wilson is looking forward to having the fellow Kiwi in his ranks (Image: Getty Images)